The idea is to cut off the channels that deliver American customers, and their money, to potential pirates. But tech companies see the laws as a dangerous overreach, objecting because, they say, the laws would add burdensome costs and new rules that would destroy the freewheeling soul of the Internet.”

How do you and your students respond? Regardless of how they feel about the wisdom or constitutionality of SOPA and Protect IP legislation, how do today’s protest reveal ways citizens can express views to lawmakers and participate in self government?